“No… Not really.” Ryosuke hid his eyes under his bangs.
Lennart nodded and thought about what else to tell him, when he remembered. “The sheets are changed, so you don’t have to worry about that. Also towels in the bathroom.”
“Oh… Of course.” Ryosuke looked up and smiled. “And thank you. For letting me stay here.”
“Sure.” Lennart looked around. “I’ll be in my room. Don’t hesitate if you need anything. J-just knock on the door.”
Ryosuke gave him a slight bow and Lennart quickly disappeared.
→
Ryosuke put the last pieces of clothing in the closet, stacked his suitcases and put them away, then looked around the room once more.
What do I do next?
Even though Lennart had let him use this room, Ryosuke couldn’t relax, especially since Lennart was on the other side of the wall. Ryosuke checked his phone and realized it was lunch time.
I should eat, and after that I’ll see. I need to relax and not think.
It was a good feeling to be back among other people, but as he walked between the tables Ryosuke noticed several people staring at him and wondered if all of them knew he was a suspect. This thought made him uneasy, and he feared he might not even get his portion. He got to the table and stopped in line.Two couples were in front of him. Since this was the first time he had come all alone, he felt a little bit anxious.
When Ryosuke got his food, he looked around the canteen and since he didn’t find anyone from his family he sat at the nearest empty table. Feeling eyes on him, he turned to his right and saw a girl sitting two tables away, having lunch with her mother.
It’s only this little girl.
While she chewed, she looked straight at him. Ryosuke still looked at her and froze from her piercing gaze. The girl then looked over his shoulder and Ryosuke turned his head. He didn’t see anything out of the ordinary so he turned to the girl once more. She still looked in his direction, but he wasn’t sure where her focus was. Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Ryosuke continued to eat to his food.
A few minutes later he heard a voice: “Could you see them too, sir?”
The little girl was standing next to his table and it made him jump, but his curiosity prevailed, so he asked, taking this opportunity to mask his discomfort. “Excuse me? See who?”
“My apologies, mister…” the girl’s mother intervened and took her hand. “Honey, don’t go around bothering people.”
Ryosuke waved his hand. “No, it’s fine. She’s not bothering me at all.”
“Oh, but still. I’m really sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Ryosuke smiled and added, “What did she mean?”
“Nothing. It’s really nothing,” the woman shook her head, and they walked away.
Ryosuke looked after them and then checked to make sure there was indeed nothing strange in the room.
?
Björn stopped in front of the bars. Maya raised her head, and when she realized it was him, she sat up.
“Look who’s here.” Her lips stretched into a bitter smile.
Björn gripped the bars and growled, “Did you really put something in her drink?”
Maya snorted. “So, that’s why you’re here? I should have known.”
“Tell me the truth!”
“Or what?”
“Did you do it?”